Sam Prendergast kicks an early penalty over the hosts, who take the lead with only 2 minutes gone.

Image source, Getty Images

Lions scrum half Morne Van Den Berg off to a nervy start, with two wayward box kicks as he attempts to clear his lines.

Early penalty for Leinster and they point to the posts.

Referee Craig Evans blows his whistle and we're off to a start here in Dublin.

Sam Prendergast kicks deep into the opposition half.

Both sides are finishing up their warm-ups as the Aviva Stadium begins to fill up.

Fairly mild conditions in Dublin this evening however there's a chance of rain later on - pretty ideal for a game of rugby.

Just over five minutes to go!

A fascinating game in store at the Aviva Stadium as the URC's last two undefeated teams go head to head in Dublin.

On the cusp of the autumn internationals, there is a whole host of Andy Farrell's Ireland squad on show here including his new captain Caelan Doris.

There's a return in the midfield too for Robbie Henshaw who plays for the first time since the summer tour of South Africa.

Here is a reminder of the teams.

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Andrew Osborne, Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Michael Milne, Gus McCarthy, Rabah Slimani; RG Snyman, Ryan Baird; Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt)

Replacements: Stephen Smyth, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, James Culhane, Cormac Foley, Ross Byrne, Charlie Tector

Lions: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Rynhardt Jonker, Edwill van der Merwe; Kade Wolhuter, Morne van den Berg; Juan Schoeman, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye; Ruben Schoeman, Reinhard Nothnagel; JC Pretorius, Jarod Cairns, Francke Horn (capt)

Replacements: Franco Marais, Heiko Pohlmann, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Renzo du Plessis, Sanele Nohamba, Marius Louw, Erich Cronje

Image source, BBC Sport

Coming up next in URC action this evening, Leinster will host the Lions at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

We'll be covering all of the action with live text commentary.

Sit back and enjoy!

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne speaking on Premier Sports: "I think at half-time our goal was to get four tries and go from there. It took us to the last play.

"Credit to the Sharks, they got the early lead and, the quality that they have, it's tough to catch up with them.

"They're a team that bring a lot of linespeed, we knew that was coming but they shut us down and we didn't execute.

"You have to give them credit, they played well."

Image source, Getty Images

A tough afternoon for Munster who were blown away early on but the game at least ends on a positive note with that four-score bonus.

Three losses in a row for the southern province, the first time they've endured such a streak in the league for nine years.

The Sharks took their foot off the pedal after about 50 minutes or so but that was an impressive performance from their star names.

Don't forget we've plenty more to come with Leinster's hosting of the Lions at 17:15 BST next up.

Clock in the red, Munster on the try line...

Munster have the advantage and Burns puts boot to ball again.

It looks like the combo is going to work for a second time but Nash just can't gather this time.

We come back for the penalty...

One last chance for Munster as Crowley knocks a penalty down to the corner...

Eben Etzebeth is down injured which will be a concern to Rassie Erasmus on the cusp of the autumn internationals.

The lock looks like he's going to continue, though.

Three and a a half minutes left.

Some defensive work from Vincent Tshituka, there.

He comes across to make a tackle, forcing Calvin Nash into the offload before readjusting to make the hit on Sean O'Brien, forcing the Munster man into a knock-on.

Still just that sole Hendrikse penalty in this half so far.

Third time isn't a charm for Munster, they've been held up again.

This time it was Beirne driving across but Ox Nche was there to stop him.

Disappointing for Munster to come away with no return from that period of pressure.

Still, they've got another eight minutes of the sin bin to make some inroads.

That latest penalty brings a yellow card for flanker James Venter.

Sharks will be down a man for the next ten.

Sharks' discipline just wavering a little here.

Craig Casey takes a penalty quickly and Munster go for the line but are held up for a second time, this time Alex Kendellen.

We come back for another penalty, though.

Munster get a penalty at the line-out. To the surprise of nobody, it doesn't seem Eben Etzebeth agrees.

Munster go into the corner and will try their luck again...